Sani: Between The Past And The Present

Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s years as governor of Kaduna State are best described as years of locusts and caterpillars, fraught with all manner of injustices inflicted on citizens. When he was sworn into office, he lamented the state’s foreign debt profile that stood at $587.07 million. By the time he left office, the state’s foreign debt was $577.32 million. According to official data released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Kaduna is now the second most externally indebted state, surpassed only by Lagos.

The hope the former governor promised was turned into a mirage as citizens were cast into a valley of despair and depression. The man, famed for demolition, re-enacted his feats by embarking on a massive demolition of structures he termed illegal. If El-Rufai came to Kaduna to resolve some of the problems confronting the state, he left as Kaduna’s biggest problem.  His exit marked the end of stormy divisiveness that tore the northern and southern parts apart along ethnic and religious lines.

Healing The Past

Upon assuming office as governor, Senator Uba Sani, who was supported by the former governor, was seen as an alter ego of the past. Not only did many believe nothing could be done to realign state policy towards uniting the state, but the imposition of the same faith was also intended to polarise the state along the religious divide. Even El-Rufai warned citizens that whoever came after him would turn out worse. Less than two years into office, the man predicted to continue the old path had proven his predecessor wrong. Instead of continuing the old path of misgovernance, anchored in the divisiveness that was the hallmark of the past, Senator Sani is proving to be his own man. Not wanting to rock the boat carrying men and women who served with his predecessor, the governor has been too careful not to hurt their feelings.  Sani has dismantled old altars of exclusivity to create a new pathway to foster inclusion across all sections of the state. While the storm of raging discourse may continue, one must note that the Sani-led government has expressed unprecedented resolve to pull the state out of the doldrums. Sani’s bitterest critic would concede that the state is no longer where El-Rufai left it.

Amidst criticisms from some quarters that Sani has not done enough, the question we must ask is whether citizens of Kaduna state are still being harangued by the storm of division and crippling injustices that were indispensable traits of the past. The song of inclusion that was alien in the past is now being sung, with dividends of democracy delivered to various parts of the state. No doubt, the southern part was the most devastated and traumatised victim of El-Rufai’s years in power. To expect that Senator Sani would redress the manifold injustices and ruins left by the past administration overlooks the neglect suffered under the man now on trial for his performance record as governor.

Clear Coast

Some have expressed the opinion that there’s little to cheer on the governor’s footprints. This position is clearly wrong-sided as it fails to acknowledge the quagmire the state was thrown into by El-Rufai’s years. Apart from allocating projects in the South and working hard to deliver them, Governor Sani has shown himself to be more of a governor of the state than his predecessor, who was actively engaged in an adversarial expedition against those whom he accused of not voting for him. Having consolidated his power beyond his predecessor’s influence over the last three years, the governor has since moved away from the dialectics of the past by not dwelling on the chicanery and inanities of politicians.

As the drumbeats of 2027 beat louder, there is no denying the seeming fact that Sani’s comeback is already a foregone issue. However, the need to continue on the path of inclusion, carrying everyone along, must not be abandoned. Despite the noise created by disunited opposition elements in the state, there is obviously nothing on the ground to suggest there is a serious challenger against Sani in next year’s polls.  This fact was recently confirmed by the resignation of the former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged ill-treatment by politicians loyal to the former governor. Ahead of next year’s polls, there is a whimper of opposition in Kaduna State that is feeble and yet to gather momentum. For Kaduna State, the hope of a better tomorrow has never looked so bright as now. What Sani needs now is to continue the intentional path of cultivating the goodwill of the people in carrying along all sections of the state for development.

For Justice

The governor’s choice of a deputy governor may pose a momentary challenge but can be overcome. For justice’s sake, which Sani seems to care about, the choice of the deputy governorship nominee should be outside of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA). This local government area has enjoyed a tremendous and serial advantage over others. Gender or religious representation may not be defining, but if it were set as a precedent, I see nothing wrong with nominating a woman and a Christian as Sani’s next deputy governor. However, such a deputy governorship nominee should match the present deputy governor’s profile in terms of depth, maturity, and exposure. To me, religion should have been relegated to determining the choice of a running mate.  Sadly, religion has become a monstrous weapon in negotiating political power. Governor Sani should assess his best options and consider the dynamics in Kaduna, which are often complex.

Kaduna state may not be out of the woods, but there are signs that, with unity and all-inclusive leadership, as demonstrated by the governor in the last three years, the state is poised to successfully confront its many challenges. For now, Senator Sani remains the only metaphor capable of salvaging the ruins left by El-Rufai’s misrule. The governor can be trusted to guide the state out of the darkness unleashed by the previous administration.